ANIMAL SANCTUARIES ROMANIA

Urme de Bucurie, meaning Footprints of Joy, is an animal rescue and shelter centre operated by Save the Dogs and other Animals, located in Cernavodă in Constanța County, southeastern Romania. Regarded as a centre of excellence for animal welfare in the region, the facility provides dedicated care for dogs, cats, and horses, with adoption programmes — both in-person and distance-based — and a fully equipped veterinary clinic on site. The centre warmly welcomes educational visits from school groups, including children with visual impairments, and engages the wider community through volunteer opportunities and outreach events. Set along DJ 223 near the Danube, Urme de Bucurie offers a meaningful and heartfelt experience for anyone interested in animal rescue and welfare.

Valea Zimbrilor is a nature reserve dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of the European bison (Bison bonasus), the largest land mammal on the continent, located in the village of Acriș near Vama Buzăului in Brașov County, approximately 50 minutes from Brașov. Founded in November 2008 and covering around 9 hectares, the reserve began with five bison imported from Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, and the herd has since grown to more than 30 specimens. In addition to bison, visitors can observe stags, roe deer, mouflons, and reindeer in naturalistic enclosures. The reserve is actively involved in a Carpathian repopulation program, with bison raised here being acclimatized and released into the wild. A truly rewarding wildlife experience, Valea Zimbrilor combines conservation purpose with accessible, family-friendly nature tourism in a scenic Transylvanian landscape.